




t t • \ ' 












o > 



^•^q<. 
















4 ^ » ' 


































^^-n*. 



-^o^ 



"^^ «: 

*„*'■ 



<.^.^"-^^:^ 



' 'P >i"i 



,*' "^^ 



o* -"^ 






« • " • ♦ ''b > . " • ♦ '*tt> o"^ r. ' • • . '*'<: 



. . • ' A 



A 






IC 


8956 



Bureau of Mines Information Circular/ 1983 



Health and Safety In-House and Contract 
Research in Fiscal Year 1984 

By Staff, Division of Health and Safety Technology 




UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 



Information Circular 8956 

ii 

Health and Safety In-House and Contract 
Research in Fiscal Year 1984 

By Staff, Division of Health and Safety Technology 




UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
William P. Clark, Secretary 

BUREAU OF MINES 
Robert C. Horton, Director 



Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data: 




^ 



/ 







United States, Bureau of Mines, Division of Health and 
Safety Technology. 

Health and safety in-house and contract research in fiscal year 
1984. 

(Information circular / U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Mines ; 
8956) 

1. Mine safety— Research— United States. 2, Mine sanitation — 
Research— United States. I. Title. II. Series: Information circular 
(United States. Bureau of Mines) ; 8956. 



-TT^^»§aJ4 622s [622'.8] 83-20013 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract. 1 

Introduction 1 

Program outline 2 

Part I. — In-house research 2 

Health 2 

Resplrable dust 2 

Control of dust formation 2 

Control of generated dust 3 

Dust instrumentation and measurement. 4 

Radiation hazards 4 

Control of radiation hazards 4 

Radiation ins trument at ion and measurement 4 

Noise control 5 

Industrial hygiene (toxic substances) 5 

Toxic gases and materials 5 

Diesel engine and alternative power sources 6 

Ventilation. 6 

Safety 6 

Fire and explosion prevention 6 

Prevention and detection 6 

Ignition 7 

Suppression 7 

Propagation and extinguishment 8 

Methane control 8 

Fundamental factors 8 

Control in advance of mining 8 

Control during mining 8 

Ground control 9 

Mine design and development 9 

Hazard detection and monitoring systems 10 

Roof support systems 11 

Safe support installation 13 

Waste stability 13 

Industrial-type hazards 14 

Electrical 14 

Illumination 13 

Mine communications and monitoring 15 

Human factors 15 

Mine equipment safety 16 

Haulage and materials handling 16 

Postdisaster 17 

Survival 17 

Communications 17 

Rescue and mine recovery 17 

Explosives 17 

Systems engineering. 18 

Systems analysis 18 

Test facilities 18 

Assistance with program management 19 



I^JAHii^ 




XI 



CONTENTS — Continued 

Page 

Fart II . — Contract research 19 

Health 19 

Resplrable dust 19 

Control of generated dust 19 

Industrial hygiene (toxic substances) 19 

Diesel engine and alternative power sources 20 

Ventilation 20 

Safety 20 

Postdisaster 20 

Rescue and mine recovery • •••• 20 



HEALTH AND SAFETY IN-HOUSE AND CONTRACT RESEARCH IN FISCAL YEAR 1984 

By Staff, Division of Health and Safety Technology 



ABSTRACT 

This publication summarizes the research (in-house and contract 
projects) programmed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1984 
(October 1, 1983-September 30, 1984) under its Health and Safety Tech- 
nology Program. The objective of these projects is to provide an 
ordered and sequenced advance toward the Bureau's overall goal of pro- 
viding the systems technology required to create a more healthful and 
safer working environment for the Nation's mining and minerals pro- 
cessing workers. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Bureau of Mines conducts a balanced, continuing in-house re- 
search and development program to accelerate systematic improvements 
in health and safety conditions in U.S. mines. Part I of this report 
outlines the Bureau's present in-house effort to all interested par- 
ties; in particular, potential contractors can refer to it when sub- 
mitting USP's (unsolicited proposals), thus avoiding proposing re- 
search that duplicates work being performed by the Bureau. Part II 
outlines the Bureau's current projected contract research needs. 

The projects presented were planned in fiscal year 1983, before 
Congressional passage of the Bureau's fiscal year 1984 budget. They 
are, therefore, subject to change based on emerging priorities and 
availablility of funds. Contingencies may require that a significant 
portion of the program be deferred into fiscal year 1985 (FY 85) or 
beyond. 

Contracts for the Health and Safety Technology Program will be 
awarded in strict accordance with Federal Procurement Regulations. 
Availability of requests for proposals (RFP's) will be formally adver- 
tised in the Commerce Business Daily. No additional information will 
be supplied on these projects until after the RFP's are made available 
and then only in strict accordance with prescribed procedures. This 
document is not intended to solicit proposals from the contracting 
community. All USP's whose content reflects the objective(s) of the 
proposed projects listed herein will be returned without formal 
review. 



PROGRAM OUTLINE 



The objective of the Health and Safety 
Technology Program is to protect the 
health and safety of mining and min- 
erals processing workers while insuring 
that newly developed technology in- 
corporates health and safety criteria. 
In achieving this objective, four fun- 
damental and complementary require- 
ments must be considered by the research 
program: 



1, Contributing to the viability 
basic industry. 



of a 



The Health and Safety Technology Pro- 
gram is divided into 12 subprogram areas 
as shown : 

Health 

Respirable Dust 
Radiation Hazards 
Noise Control 
Industrial Hygiene 
Ventilation 

Safety 



2. Sustaining productivity. 

3. Allowing for a return on capital 
investment. 

4. Providing material and energy to 
the public. 



Fire and Explosion Prevention 

Methane Control 

Ground Control 

Industrial-Type Hazards 

Postdisaster 

Explosives 

Systems Engineering 



Since mining and minerals processing 
involve a highly integrated and inter- 
related set of functions, the program has 
been divided into a set of interrelated 
subprograms, each with goals that will 
provide systems technology solutions to 
the problems within the framework of 
these fundamental requirements. 



The objectives of these subprograms are 
described in the following pages, fol- 
lowed by the planned projects and their 
corresponding descriptions. The aggre- 
gate value of the planned in-house proj- 
ects is approximately $26 million, and 
that of the anticipated contracts 
$600,000, 



PART I, — IN-HOUSE RESEARCH 



HEALTH 



Control of Dust Formation 



Respirable Dust 

Program Objectives : To investigate 
basic dust control technologies and con- 
cepts aimed at preventing the generation 
and entrainment of respirable dust during 
the mining cycle. To provide new and 
improved technology for measuring and 
controlling airborne respirable dust at 
levels that meet or are below standards 
set by the Federal law for all mining and 
mineral processing operations. 



Define the Empirical Relationship 
Between Cutting Parameters, Dust 
Generation, and Cutting Forces 
for Coal and Rock 



Objective ; To conduct basic studies to 
the relationships between 
dust generation. 



determine 

forces, energy, primary 

and cutting parameters for coal type, bit 

geometry and bit usage, and establish a 

generic mathematical model to optimize 

any cutting system for minimum dust 



generation. To continue field tests 
using the in-seam tester for in situ dust 
and energy measurements and for verifica- 
tion of laboratory results. This is a 
continuation of ongoing efforts, 

2. Fundamentals of Dust Formation 
and Entrainment 

Objective: To initiate laboratory 
studies to define the basic parameters 
and behavior of coal and quartz during 
coal breakage and how they affect the 
formation and entrainment of airborne 
respirable dust. This is a new effort, 

3. Study of Coal Dust Wettability 

Objective : To detemnine the critical 
performance parameters of surfactants for 
coal wetting and define the character- 
istics of a universal surfactant. To 
investigate the effects of coal surface 
chemistry on wettability. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 

4. Mine Inspection Data Analysis System 

Objective : To conduct a statistical 
analysis of available dust exposure data 
and complete the development of the ex- 
posure index that will aid the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 
in determining its future inspection and 
sampling strategy. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing effort. 

Control of Generated Dust 

5. Determination of the Extrinsic 
Parameters Governing the Quartz 
Exposure of Coal Mine Workers 

Objective : To complete study of the 
six cleanest continuous mining sections. 
Based on the results of the roof bolter 
dust sources study, to identify improved 
methods for roof bolter dust control. To 
evaluate the feasibility and effective- 
ness of using remote control to reduce 
the continuous miner operator's dust 
exposure. To initiate a study to iden- 
tify dust sources at continuous haulage 
operations. To explore the concept of 
using high-pressure atomizing nozzles for 
control of dust on continuous miner 



sections. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort, 

6. Behavior and Transport of Silica Dust 
in Room and Pillar Mining Operations 

Objective : To study the ventilation 
patterns and airflow characteristics at 
room and pillar operations and determine 
their effect on the behavior and trans- 
port of silica dust. To identify speci- 
fic areas where silica dust behaves dif- 
ferently from coal dust and determine how 
dust control practices need to be modi- 
fied to compensate for these differences. 
This is a new effort, 

7. Investigation of Quartz Dust 
Generation During the Removal 

of Overburden Material at Surface 
Coal Mines 

Objective ; To identify and quantify 
silica dust sources at surface coal oper- 
ations with special emphasis on sources 
governing the dust exposure of highwall 
drill operations. This is a new effort, 

8, Identification of Dust Sources 
and Control Strategies for Auger 
Extraction of Coal 

Objective : To determine the dust lev- 
els at the auger-machine operator — ^jack- 
setter location, and the effects on dust 
levels of air turbulence due to water 
spray and cutterhead motion and changes 
in airflow patterns. To investigate new 
and improved water spray and ventilation 
concepts for more effective dust control. 
This is a new effort, 

9, Identification and Study of the 
Elemental Sources and Behavior 
of Respirable Dust as It Relates 
to Longwall Dust Control 

Objective : To continue to identify and 
study the various sources of dust and 
quantify their impact on the face work- 
er's dust exposure. To determine the 
effectiveness of evolving dust control 
techniques at active longwall faces. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 



10. Study of Mining Practices and 

Concepts To Reduce Longwall Dust 

Objective : To identify work practices 
and mining cycle modifications to reduce 
workers' exposure to dust generated dur- 
ing support movement. To evalute the 
performance of the most promising tech- 
niques and provide guidelines to the min- 
ing industry for implementation of those 
practices and procedures. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 



analysis of surface coal mine dust sam- 
ples. This is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 

14. Rapid and Simple Analytical 
Technique for Measurement 
of Asbestos in Dust Samples 

Objectives : To investigate the techni- 
cal feasibility of using electrophoresis 
as a means to analyze dust samples for 
asbestos fibers. This is a new effort. 



11. Define and Characterize Sources 
of Mill Dust and Its Control 

Objective ; To conduct studies to de- 
fine mill dust sources using a tracer gas 
technique and identify appropriate con- 
trol measures. To determine the level of 
dust generated during dumping and crush- 
ing operations and investigate the most 
effective suppression techniques. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing effort. 

Dust Instrumentation and Measurement 

12. Study of Respirable Dust Monitoring 
Strategies and Evaluation of Dust 
Measurement Concepts 

Objective : To complete the study of 
the tapered-element oscillating micro- 
balance (TEOM) dust sensing technology to 
determine sensitivity, accuracy, pre- 
cision, and other performance and relia- 
bility factors. To evaluate the perform- 
ance of the MINIRAM and the continuous 
respirable dust monitoring system. To 
continue development of a monitoring 
strategy for controlling respirable coal 
mine dust. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

13. Detennination of Silica Particle 
Size Distribution in Respirable 
Mine Dust Samples 

Objective : To determine the size dis- 
tribution of mineral particulates col- 
lected from underground coal mines by 
scanning electron microscope (SEM) image 
analysis with special emphasis on size of 
silica particulates as related to the 
various coal seams. To initiate similar 



Radiation Hazards 

Program Objective : To advance the 
state of measurement and control technol- 
ogy for protection of miners from expo- 
sure to radon and radon daughters and 
other nuclear radiation hazards in ura- 
nium and other mines. 

Control of Radiation Hazards 

1. Radon Control Technology 



Objective: 



To complete studies to 



determine the effectiveness of activated 
charcoal filters in reducing radon con- 
centrations. To define and investigate 
the parameters that influence the release 
of radon from radivim-bearing ores , and 
develop a computer code to model the 
release of radon into the mine atmosphere 
considering ventilation pressures , mining 
activities, and inactive mines. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing effort. 

Radiation Instrumentation 
and Measurement 

2. Personal Exposure Measurement 

Objective : To investigate the sensi- 
tivity and response of passive alpha 
detectors for radon measurements and 
study methods for measuring long-lived 
alpha emitters. To determine physical 
characteristics of radon daughters in 
mine atmospheres. To continue to evalu- 
ate the accuracy and reliability of 
emerging radiation measurement technol- 
ogy. This is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 



Noise Control 

Program Objectives: To work with In- 
dustry to Identify noise sources in 
underground and surface mines and in 
related mineral cleaning and preparation 
facilities, and to abate these noise 
sources sufficiently to meet Federal 
noise exposure standards. 

1. Hearing Protector Research 

Objective; To determine backgrbund 
noise levels under earmuffs and to study 
errors in the two-microphone attenuation 
measurement method. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing effort. 



and certain particulates produced by 
explosives, combustible materials, and 
diesel engines. To develop and evaluate 
new instrumentation for monitoring these 
substances. To develop and/or refine 
analytical techniques for measuring and 
characterizing toxic substances, and in- 
vestigate methods for controlling the 
formation and accumulation of toxic prod- 
ucts. To analyze alternative power 
sources that may have health advantages 
over existing mine diesels. 

Toxic Gases and Materials 

1. Toxic Fumes From Explosives and 
Other Materials Used in Mining 



2. Noise Abatement Profile 

Objective; To implement a computerized 
noise abatement profile and data base for 
the mining industry. This is a new 
project. 

3. Mining Equipment Noise Control 

Objective: To investigate new techni- 
cal approaches to quieting load-haul-dump 
machines, continuous miner cutting heads, 
jumbo-mounted drills, and handheld hard 
rock drills. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort. 



Objective : 
and quantity 



vapors , 



and 



detonation of 
thermal oxidat 
bustion of mat 
mining operat 
effect of low 
ginal primary 
or to imprope 
production of 
ing. This is 
going effort. 



To determine the identity 
of fixed gases, chemical 
residues produced by the 

explosives and by the 
ive degradation and com- 
erials used in underground 
ions. To determine the 
order reaction due to mar- 
, deteriorated explosives, 
r delay intervals in the 
toxic fumes during blast- 

a continuation of an on- 



2. Monitoring and Measurement 
of Contaminant Gases 



4. Basic Technologies for Mining Noise 
Control 

Objectives; To investigate the noise- 
generating machanisms of percussion 
drills and chain conveyors and to study 
the effectiveness of various noise con- 
trols. To research engineering designs 
aimed at reducing longwall shearer noise 
levels. To investigate the effect of the 
mining environment on the acoustical 
properties of materials. This is a new 
project. 

Industrial Hygiene (Toxic Substances) 

Program Objectives; To identify and 
control health hazards in surface and 
underground mines and mineral processing 
plants caused by toxic gases and fumes, 



Objective; To devise and evaluate 
methods and devices that can be used 
effectively and efficiently by the mining 
industry to evaluate, maintain, and im- 
prove the working environment in under- 
ground mines. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort, 

3. Cyanide Hazard in Cleaning "State 
of Maine" Filters 

Objective; To devise simple and reli- 
able cleaning procedures for "State of 
Maine" filters, used in the mining in- 
dustry to collect the gold and silver in 
pregnant cyanide leach solutions, that 
minimize employee exposure to cyanide and 
cyanide compounds produced during clean- 
ing. This is a new project. 



4. Measurement and Control 
of Welding Fumes 



2. Improved Stopping, Door, and Overcast 
Construction for Oil Shale Mines 



Objective: To assess related industry 
practices pertaining to measurement and 
control of welding and cutting fumes, 
dust, and radiation, and adapt this tech- 
nology to confined work areas found in 
the mining environment. To determine the 
quantity and character of welding pol- 
lutants and personnel exposure levels. 
To propose control systems and/or isola- 
tion techniques to reduce or eliminate 
exposure to toxic substances resulting 
from welding and cutting. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 



Objectives; To establish the essential 
characteristics of stoppings subject to 
blast damage, high differential pres- 
sures, and roof, rib, and floor movement. 
To establish the required characteristics 
of stoppings, doors, and overcasts em- 
ployed in large-opening mines , and use 
these characteristics to create concep- 
tual designs. This is a new project, 

SAFETY 

Fire and Explosion Prevention 



5. 



Diesel Engine and Alternative Power 
Sources 

Research To Control Diesel Engine 
Particulate Emissions 



Objective; To investigate the reduc- 
tion of miner exposure to diesel exhaust 
through identification, development, and 
evaluation of exhaust control technology 
such as fuel additives and filters. This 
is a new project. 

Ventilation 

Program Objectives; To develop venti- 
lation systems required to maintain a 
safe and healthful atmosphere conducive 
to efficient work output in noncoal 
mines, 

1 , Improving Ventilation in Noncoal 
Mines and Mills 



Program Objectives ; To reduce the 
potential for a fire or explosion in min- 
eral extraction and processing opera- 
tions , to minimize the danger to people 
on account of fires or explosions that do 
occur, and to diminish the vulnerability 
to such attendant hazards as high temper- 
ature, asphyxiating and toxic fumes, and 
explosive gas mixtures. 

Prevention and Detection 

1, Investigation of Fundamental 
Approaches to Fire Warning in 
Underground Mines Including Stench 
Gas, CO Indicators, and Human 
Response 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to reduce fire warning time for 
deep underground metal mines and ensure 
appropriate response by miners to warning 
signals. 



Objectives ; To investigate the aero- 
dynamics of face ventilation systems in 
large opening mines, to apply the thermo- 
dynamic principles of air-to-water heat 
exchange to the cooling of hot mines , and 
to investigate improved mine stopping 
construction techniques, especially in 
large-opening mines. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing effort. 



2, Hazard Detection and Instrumentation 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to identify, evaluate, and improve 
upon promising fire sensors and fire- 
sensing systems for use in underground 
mines. To develop prototype systems 
capable of (1) remote measurement of 



methane and other flammable gases and (2) 
low-level smoke sensing, 

3. Implementation of Coal Dust-Rock Dust 
Regulations 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to provide improved instrumenta- 
tion to enable MSHA to more readily 
determine compliance with current rock 
dust regulations. To validate the ef- 
fectiveness of techniques such as water 
spray systems to reduce float coal dust. 
To maintain awareness of non-rock-dust 
alternatives for explosion prevention, 

4. Fires in Mine Passageways 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to provide data on mine fire 
parameters, such as fire growth rate, 
ignition source intensity, and fire size, 
that can lead to improved and realistic 
fire detection and a more realistic plan- 
ning of fire emergency procedures. 

5. Characterizing the Effect of the 
Mining Environment on Underground 
Metal Mine Fire Detection 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to perform highly complex analyses 
of fire growth and containment spread 
using real-time inputs from in-mine 
detection instruments. 

Ignition 

6. Ignitability of Mineral Dusts, Gases, 
and Vapors 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to develop and promulgate new and 
more reliable explosivity and ignitabil- 
ity indices for use in classifying dusts 
according to their hazard potential. 
Continue thermal and spark-ignitability 
studies in a new and larger furnace to 
permit more accurate control over the 
environments simulated as a representa- 
tion of those encountered in mines. 

7. Fire Hazards of Mine Combustibles 



Objectives 



rates of mine materials under sloping 
conditions. 

8, Pacification of Sulfide Oxidation 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to determine the kinetics and 
mechanisms of low-temperature oxidation 
of sulfides, particularly pyrite; to 
identify the rate-controlling step(s). 
To apply the result of this study to 
identify chemical and physical inhibitors 
and validate, first in large-scale labor- 
atory tests and ultimately in mines, the 
ability of these inhibitors to prevent or 
retard sulfide oxidation and thereby re- 
duce the probability of mine fires and 
resultant loss of property and life. 

9. Spontaneous Combustion Research 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to study the self -heating of mate- 
rials under realistic conditions in order 
to provide criteria for prediction and 
prevention of spontaneous combustion 
occurrences. 

Suppression 

10. Laboratory Dust Flammability Studies 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to delineate the domain of flamma- 
bility for mixtures of coal dust-rock 
dust-methane in air. To find new, cost- 
effective supplements or substitutes for 
rock dust, and to continue testing, cali- 
bration, and improvement of a laboratory- 
scale explosivity test apparatus, 

11, Microscopic Structure and 
Composition of Combustible Dusts 
and Residues 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to conduct quantitative micro- 
scopic structure studies, size distri- 
butions, and composition analyses of 
various dusts with the SEM, electron 
microscope, and to apply the data 
obtained to combustion research and 
the forensic science of postdisaster 
investigation. 



To 



continue 



an 



on- 



going effort to evaluate flame spread 



12. 



Propagation and Extinguishment 

Fire and Explosion Hazards of Oil 
Shale Mining and Oil Mining 



factors influencing the occurrence of 
methane to the development of techniques 
to control methane in advance of and dur- 
ing mining. 



Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to provide guidelines for fire and 
explosion prevention during all phases of 
oil shale mining and processing. 

13. Full-Scale Mine Explosion Research 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort on the ignition propagation and 
suppression of full-scale explosions of 
coal dust, oil shale dust, and gas in the 
Bruceton and Lake Lynn Experimental 
Mines; and to improve and maintain the 
instrumentation in both facilities. 

14. Prevention and Suppression 
of Ignitions and Explosions 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to develop, test, and conduct 
field trials of (1) new tool bit materi- 
als and/or tool bit geometries for the 
prevention of face ignitions, (2) bar- 
riers for the suppression of gas and coal 
dust explosions, and (3) sintered metal- 
lic components in braking systems of 
underground coal mine equipment to deter- 
mine the extent of the friction hazard. 

15. Mine Fire Diagnostics and 
Extinguishment 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to develop needed guidelines for 
safe reopening of a mine following seal- 
ing of a coal mine fire, to evaluate mine 
fire detection and suppression systems, 
and to evaluate full-scale fires involv- 
ing other mine combustibles such as mine 
dusts, brattice curtains, and conveyor 
belts. 

Methane Control 

Program Objective ; To develop the 
technology that will enhance the ability 
of the mining industry to more effec- 
tively control methane in underground 
coal mines. The technology involved 
ranges from determining the fundamental 



Fundamental Factors 

1. Fundamental Factors Affecting Methane 
in Coal and Associated Strata 

Objective ; To determine the influences 
of geology on the occurrence and emission 
of methane. This is a new project. 

2. Understanding the Mechanisms of Gas 
Outbursts in Coal 

Objective ; To assess the potential for 
and the minimizing of gas outburst haz- 
ards in coal mines. This is a new 
project, 

3. The Geology of Methane in Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines 

Objective ; To determine the influence 
of geology on the occurrence and emission 
of methane in metal and nonmetal mines. 
This is a new project. 

Control in Advance of Mining 

4. Vertical Borehole Methane Drainage 
Longwall Mine Safety 

Objective ; To evaluate improved tech- 
niques of vertical borehole drainage for 
longwalls. This is a new project. 

Control During Mining 

5. Protection of Methane Drainage 
Systems 

Objective ; To investigate improved 
techniques for protecting methane drain- 
age systems. This is a new project. 

6. Methane Drainage for Low Permeability 
Coalbeds 

Objective: To influence horizontal 
drilling and completion technology for 
use in low-permeability coalbeds. This 
is a new project. 



7. Longwall Gob Gas Control Using Cross 
Measure Boreholes 

Objective ; To evaluate new techniques 
for gob degasification. This is a new 
project, 

8. Development of Methane Control 
Strategies in Metal and Nonmetal 
Mines 

Objective ; To develop and evaluate 
specific methane control strategies for 
metal and nonmetal mines. This is a new 
project. 

9. Ventilation for Methane Control 



steep coal seams and multiple seams. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 

3. Field Investigation of Coal Mine 
Pillar Design 

Objective : To identify major problems 
related to current designs of chain pil- 
lars and barrier pillars , and validate 
the design concepts using field instru- 
mentation data and regressive integrity 
factor analysis. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing effort, 

4. Geophysical Validation of Coal Mine 
Pillar Integrity 



Objective ; To conduct research on im- 
proved ventilation techniques for methane 
control in coal mines. This is a contin- 
uation of an ongoing effort. 

Ground Control 

Program Objectives ; To develop tech- 
nology that can be applied by the mining 
industry to reduce accidents due to the 
failure of underground mine roof, face, 
and ribs, and the collapse of surface 
mine and waste embankment slopes. 

Mine Design and Development 

1. Delineation of Abandoned Mine 
Workings and Other Mining Hazards 
With Integrated Geophysics 

Objective ; To field-test seismic, 
radar, controlled-source audio magneto- 
telluric, and resistivity techniques, 
determine relationships of various geo- 
physical methods, and determine most 
appropriate methods for identification of 
mine hazards through multiple data set 
analysis. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

2. Structural Analysis and Design 
for Longwall Mining 

Objective ; To apply numerical modeling 
techniques to identify optimum entry con- 
figurations, pillar designs, and single- 
entry development for longwall mining of 



Objective ; To evaluate geophysical 
methods for determination of the extent 
of and characteristics of yielded zones 
in coal mine pillars. This is a new 
project, 

5, Evaluate Borehole Instruments for 
Rock Mechanics Investigations 

Objective ; To complete field and lab- 
oratory evaluation of the borehole shear 
tester and the improved borehole pressure 
cell, and initiate laboratory testing of 
a two-component physical property gage 
and a soft borehole deformation gage. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 

6, Roof and Pillar Stability at Coal 
Mine Intersections 

Objective ; To analyze stresses and 
deformations in the roof and ribs at 
entry intersections of coal mines using 
numerical modeling techniques, and verify 
the results with field measurement of 
convergence and stresses. This is a new 
project, 

7, Stress Technology for Improved Mine 
Design 

Objective ; To evaluate the effect of 
in situ stress fields on ground control 
problems and the potential of stress 
technology in improving mine structural 
design. This is a new project. 



10 



8. Geologic Studies for Coal Mine 
Ground Control 

Objective ; To classify hazardous geo- 
logic features of coal mine roof and 
identify suitable roof support tech- 
niques. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort, 

9. Ground Control Design Procedures 
for Multiple-Seam Coal Mining 

Objective ; To assess the impacts of a 
previously mined coal seam on ground con- 
trol in active mine workings and develop 
design criteria for multiple-seam coal 
mining. This is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 

10. Health and Safety Recommendations 
for Single-Entry Longwall Mining 

Objective ; To determine recommended 
variances in health and safety require- 
ments for single-entry development sys- 
tems for retreat longwall mining. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing effort. 

11. Model Studies and Field Verification 
of Roof Bolting Criteria 

Objective ; To develop design guide- 
lines for mine roof reinforcement using 
various types of roof bolts by collating 
the results of full-scale model testing, 
finite-element computer analysis, and in- 
mine tests. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

12. Engineering Data Base for Coal Mine 
Ground Control Planning 

Objective ; To develop and establish a 
centralized geological and engineering 
data base for coal mine control planning 
and design. This is a new project. 

13. Blasting Parameters That Affect 
Highwall Stability 

Objective ; To complete field evalua- 
tion of improved blasting practices for 
highwall stability in surface coal mines. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 



14. Application of Geodynamic 

Accumulated Strain Sensor to 

In Situ Rock Stresses Measurement 



Objective ; To develop acoustic trans- 
ducers for in situ rock stress measure- 
ment based on pulsed-phase-locked-loop 
technology and demonstrate their applica- 
tion. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 

15. Evaluation of Ground Stability 
Problems in Quarry Operations 

Objective ; To identify ground control 
hazards in deep slate quarries, and dem- 
onstrate application of geotechnical 
engineering to quarry planning and opera- 
tions for highwall safety. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 

16. Mine Void Mapping With 
Controlled-Source Audio 
Magnetotelluric System 

Objective ; To evaluate the use of a 
controlled-source audio magnetotelluric 
system previously developed under Bureau 
contract for mapping mine voids and ge- 
ologic anomalies. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing effort. 

17. Roof Stability Through Automated 
In-Mine Environmental Control 

Objective ; To complete the laboratory 
study on time-dependent behavior of coal 
measure rocks due to moisture effects. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 

Hazard Detection and Monitoring 
Systems 

18. Automated Microseismic Roof Fall 
Warning System 

Objective: To complete verification of 
the capability of high-frequency, micro- 
seismic single-point transducer systems 
in predicting and warning against small 
roof falls, and transfer the innovative 
technology to the industry. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 



11 



19. Coal Mine Bounce and Outburst 
Studies 



Objective : To assess the reliability 
of low-frequency mlcroselsmlc monitoring 
techniques to delineate areas of eventual 
coal bounce failure, and high-frequency 
techniques as a warning system for out- 
bursts. This Is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 



24. Acoustic Cross-Borehole and In-Mine 
Roof Hazard Detection Systems 

Objective ; To complete assembly of the 
low-frequency, acoustic cross-borehole 
hazard detection system. Install the 
Instrumentation In a field logging ve- 
hicle, and conduct performance tests. 
This Is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 



20. Three-Dlmenslonal Remote-Sensing 
Data Analysis for Mine Hazard 
Prediction 

Objective ; To Investigate a com- 
posite methodology to construct three- 
dimensional mine hazard maps by combining 
satellite Imagery data, aerial photo- 
graphs, geologic and geophysical Informa- 
tion, and digital terrain mapping. This 
Is a continuation of an ongoing effort. 



25. Prediction and Control of Rock 
Bursts and Failures In Mines 

Objective : To complete Improvements of 
the standard mlcroselsmlc rock burst mon- 
itoring system and analysis procedures, 
and continue collection of mlcroselsmlc 
and electromagnetic radiation data at the 
Galena Mine for Improving failure predic- 
tion capability. This Is a continuation 
of an ongoing effort. 



21. In-Seam Hazard Detection Using 
Geophysical Techniques 



26. Detection of Imminent Rock Failure 
In Deep-Vein Mines 



Objective ; To evaluate high-resolution 
guided wave seismic and radar technol- 
ogies that are reliable and accurate In 
detecting and locating hazardous geologic 
features and mine voids within a coal 
seam. This Is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 

22. Mine Inundation Warning Systems 

Objective ; To complete field evalua- 
tion of practical methods and instruments 
for inundation warning in underground 
coal mines. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 



Objective ; To complete field evalua- 
tion of the improved seismic rock burst 
monitoring system using fiber optic links 
for data transmission. This is a contin- 
uation of an ongoing effort. 

Roof Support Systems 

27. Arch Canopy Research 

Objective ; To determine the dynamic 
response of arch canopies, their struc- 
tural components, and tunnel liner back- 
fill systems to Impact loading. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing effort. 



23. Critical Parameters Controlling 
Roof Stability 

Objective ; To investigate roof-to- 
floor closure rate criteria for roof fall 
prediction using potentlometric and 
ultrasonic closure rate devices. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing effort. 



28. Fundamental Drill and Bolt 

Parameters Affecting Roof Integrity 

Objective ; To determine if roof bolts 
can be installed with uniform tension in 
widely varying roof conditions and deter- 
mine roof stability that results. This 
Is a continuation of an ongoing effort. 



12 



29. Ground Control System Safety 
Analysis 

Objective : To examine ground control 
accident reports to determine trends and 
significance of conditions and circum- 
stances contributing to accidents and 
fatalities. This Is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

30. Inorganic Cementing Materials 

Objective : To develop chemical binders 
and methods of application to mine roofs 
to Increase the mine roof stability, with 
special attention to potential Inorganic 
binders. This Is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

31. Investigation of Factors Associated 
With Cutter (Shear) Roof 

Objective : To perform engineering and 
geologic studies to determine causes of 
cutter roof. This Is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort, 

32. Support of Thick Coal Roofs In 
Western Mines 

Objective : To determine optimum sup- 
port devices for safe, effective support 
of underground mine roofs composed of 
thick, top coal. This Is a continuation 
of an ongoing effort. 

33. Support for Large Underground 
Openings 

Objective : To formulate, develop, and 
test concepts for ground support systems 
to stabilize large underground openings 
In thick-seam coal. This Is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing effort. 

34. Passive Roof Supports To Control 
Ground 

Objective : To develop fundamental data 
on the function of passive, artificial 
yielding roof supports used during min- 
ing. This Is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 



35. Corrosion of Metallic Roof Support 
Elements 

Objective : To develop guidelines to 
aid MSHA and mining personnel In predict- 
ing the life of roof support systems , 
determine detrimental effects of cor- 
rosive mine environments on friction 
rock stabilizers (split set), and help 
Identify potential control measures. 
This Is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 

36. Nontensloned Rock Reinforcement 

Objective ; To develop nontensloned, 
full-column Inorganic grouted rock bolts 
for use In metal and nonmetal mines; com- 
plete testing of a scaler for use In 
metal and nonmetal mines. This Is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 

37. Minimum Column Lengths for 
Resin-Grouted Bolts In Evaporltes 

Objective : To determine the minimum 
column lengths required to Insure safe 
working conditions when rock conditions 
are such that some grout Is forced out 
Into the rock mass. This Is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing effort. 

38. Flexible Dlstrlbuted-Load Support 
System 

Objective ; To define the Interactive 
mechanics of flexible dlstrlbuted-load 
supports; to determine the critical pa- 
rameters that control the 
backpacking materials; to 
alternative materials (other 
for use as flexible liners; 
how a flexible support system could be 
Integrated Into the excavation cycles In 
highly stressed or broken ground; and to 
establish and verify a theory for flex- 
ible dlstrlbuted-load support that will 
lead to effective design and Implementa- 
tion of the systems. This Is a new 
project. 



selection of 
Investigate 
than steel) 

to determine 



13 



39. Roof Bolt Effectiveness Monitoring 
Using High-Frequency Microseismic 
System 

Objective: To evaluate data analysis 
techniques of self-generated rock noise 
(ultrasonic frequency range) as related 
to dynamic structural response in under- 
ground mines. This is a new project. 

40. Push-Out Pillar Support System 
for Retreat Mining 

Objective ; To design and evaluate 
push-out pillars and the immediate sup- 
port systems required to maintain a safe 
working area in a room and pillar retreat 
section. This is a new project. 



41. 



Safe Support Installation 

Support-Rock Interaction Mechanics 
for Full-Column Bolting 



trusses. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

44. Effects of Bolt Installation 

Procedure on Mine Roof Stability 



Objective : To determine bolting proce- 
enhance or degrade roof sta- 
is a continuation of an 



dures that 
bility. This 
ongoing project. 



45. Longwall Mining Investigations 

Objective : To develop data on support 
loadings and strata activity associated 
with the development of longwall gateroad 
entries and subsequent mining of longwall 
panels; to evaluate techniques for strata 
stabilization and void fillings. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing project. 



46. 



Systems Interaction for Support 
Installation 



Objective : To develop fundamental 
knowledge and understanding of the be- 
havior of full-column bolting in under- 
ground mines, especially using non- 
standard grouts and bolts. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

42. Research on the Initiation, 
Monitoring, and Destressing of Coal 
Mine Bounces, Coal Bursts, and Gas 
Outbursts in Deep Western Mines 

Objective ; To integrate field measure- 
ments and observations with numerical 
analysis and laboratory studies to gain a 
better fundamental understanding of why a 
bounce, burst, or outburst occurs and how 
to eliminate or reduce them in coal mine 
entries and longwall faces. This is a 
new project. 

43. Theory and Mechanics of Roof Truss 
Behavior 

Objective : To develop basic data on 
the support characteristics of roof 
trusses, to determine the performance of 
a field roof truss tension measuring 
device, and to evaluate concepts to pro- 
vide faster and safer installation of 



Objective : To evaluate support in- 
stallation concepts that remove the miner 
from immediate danger when placing bolts. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

47. Retreat Mining Geomechanics 

Objective : To determine the mechanisms 
of roof collapse during retreat mining 
and establish guidelines to improve the 
safety of retreat mining. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 

48. Relation of Dynamic Roof Bolt Loads 
to Mine Stability 

Objective : To determine factors influ- 
encing roof bolt load and relate their 
influence to mine stability. This is a 
new project. 



49. 



Waste Stability 

Generic Modeling of Waste 
Embankments and Backfilled 
Structures 



Objective : To design and validate 
generic models via mathematical analysis. 



14 



computer codes, and centrifuge testing 
for the evaluation of the design and con- 
struction of surface waste embankments 
and underground backfilled mines. This 
is a new project, 

50, Surface Disposal of Mine Waste and 
Mill Tailings 

Objective : To investigate methods of 
slurried waste deposition that will place 
higher strength materials close to the 
embankment, and concepts for the disposal 
of fine coal refuse that eliminate the 
need for slurry impoundments. This is a 
new project. 



Electrical 

1, Intrinsic Safety 

Objective ; To investigate problems 
related to the basic understanding of 
intrinsic safety, supply technical sup- 
port to Bureau of Mines researchers , con- 
tractors, and MSHA, and participate in 
national and international committees to 
develop recommendations for using elec- 
trical equipment in potentially explosive 
atmospheres. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort. 

2. Permissible Equipment 



51, Consolidation of Coal-Clay Waste by 
an Improved Flocculation Technique 

Objective : Demonstrate the feasibility 
of using an improved flocculation tech- 
nique to dewater fine coal waste sludge 
to produce a consolidated, stable waste 
material. This method will be field 
tested using polyethylene oxide as a 
flocculating agent. This is a continu- 
ation of an ongoing effort, 

52, Evaluation of Filter Cloth for 
Stabilizing Coal Mine Waste 

Objective : To improve the stability of 
coal mine refuse piles through a deter- 
mination of the long-term effectiveness 
of using synthetic filter cloths to 
assist in embankment drainage. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 



Objective : To develop a design guide 
and quality assurance standards for 
explosion-proof enclosures, begin testing 
a medium-high (600 to 8,000-V) voltage 
connector, and develop acceptance and 
test criteria for high-voltage permis- 
sible load centers. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing effort, 

3, Grounding and Ground Fault Protection 

Objective ; To modify existing sensi- 
tive ground fault interruptors or develop 
new units for use in U,S, underground 
mines, and to test those units for dura- 
bility and shock prevention and establish 
applicable standards for future use. 
This is a new project, 

4, Mine Power System Safety and 
Reliability 



Industrial-Type Hazards 

Program Objectives : To (1) determine 
how the quality of training can be in- 
creased to insure miners can do their 
tasks safely and productively, (2) define 
the role of the human in all aspects of 
tasks required during the mining cycle, 
(3) determine how the human can be pro- 
tected from the hazards of mining, (4) 
determine what information must be avail- 
able to the miner and at what level to 
increase safety, and (5) determine what 
information must be available to reflect 
the human requirements in equipment 
designed for mining. 



Objective : To investigate mine power 
system problems that have the potential 
for causing mine fires, methane explo- 
sions, and exposure of mine personnel to 
electrical hazards, and to develop tech- 
nology to improve the reliability and 
maintainability of power systems. This 
is a new project, 

5, Inherently Safe Electrode Reactions 
for Use in Electrokinetic Dewatering 

Objective : To investigate cathode 
reactions that will be inherently safe 
and can substitute for the hydrogen- 
generating reduction of water in the 



15 



electrokinetic process of dewatering mine 
tailings. This is a new project. 

Illumination 

6. Investigation of Minimal Luminance 
Requirements for the Mining Industry 

Objective ; To collect and analyze data 
from surface and underground mines that 
can be used to evaluate and recommend 
minimal luminance levels for the in- 
dustry. This is a new project. 

7. Fundamental Research on Potential 
Use of Large Diameter Fiber Optics 
for Area Illumination 

Objective : To evaluate the potential 
use of fiber optic illumination systems 
in underground mines with emphasis on 
glare reduction, safety, reliability, 
maintenance, and economics. This is a 
new project. 

Mine Communications and Monitoring 

8. Mine Telemetry and Environmental 
Surveillance Systems 

Objective : To collect basic in-mine 
data on environmental mine monitoring 
systems. The data will be used for eval- 
uation of system reliability, sensor and 
transducer performance, and data secur- 
ity. This is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 

9. Performance Standards and Systems 
Approach to Mine Monitoring 

Objective : To develop and evaluate 
criteria for an intrinsically safe mine 
monitoring system. The research will 
concentrate on a systems approach, relia- 
bility, sensors, and data security. The 
system provides adequate safety protec- 
tion that is cost effective. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 

10. Electromagnetic Signal Propagation 
in Underground Mines 

Objective : To evaluate techniques to 
improve the range and reliability of 
medium-frequency (MF) radio propagation 



along with an investigation of MF appli- 
cation to in-mine data transmission. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 

Human Factors 

11. The Investigation of Improved 
Management Practices for the Mining 
Industry 

Objective : To ascertain the relation- 
ship of current management practices to 
miners' safety, productivity, and turn- 
over rates; and on the basis of the find- 
ings from this work, recommend approaches 
for the improved management of coal min- 
ers. This is a new project, 

12. Human Factors of Manual Materials 
Handling in the Coal Mining Industry 

Objective : To identify and define the 
hazards of manual materials handling in 
the coal mining industry, and to develop 
manual materials handling guidelines spe- 
cific to the needs of the coal mining 
industry. This is a new project. 

13. Computer Modeling of Mining Crew 
Stations 

Objective ; To determine the demands 
placed on mobile equipment operators 
while operating underground coal mining 
machinery and to incorporate the results 
into the ongoing work on developing a 
computer model of operator compartments. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort, 

14. Reduction of Human Error Accidents 
in Underground Mining 

Objective : To reduce mining accidents 
and injuries associated with "human 
error," and to improve productivity re- 
lated to human performance. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort, 

15. Research To Enhance the Conduct of 
New Hire, Refresher, and New Task 
Training 

Objective ; To enhance the effi- 
ciency and effectiveness of mine training 



16 



through the systematic investigation, 
study, and development of performance 
criteria and competency-based training 
methods. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

16. Fundamental Factors of Operator 
Alertness To Enhance Surface Mining 
Safety 

Objective : To determine human be- 
havioral aspects of the man-machine- 
workplace interface that contribute to 
unsafe behavior in surface mining, de- 
velop practical techniques that can cor- 
rect these problems, and test such tech- 
niques under controlled conditions that 
simulate the mining environment. This is 
a new project, 

17, Blasters Training for Metal-Nonmetal 
Miners 



Objective : 



To prepare recommendations 

the development of materials that 

be used for classroom and on- 



f or 

would 

the-job training of blasters in metal and 

nonmetal mines. This is a new project. 



Mine Equipment Safety 

18. Application of Robotics 
to Underground Mining 

Objective ; To conduct an intensive, 
systematic study directed toward greater 
knowledge and understanding of robotics 
to determine the potential for the devel- 
opment of mining systems that will rely 
primarily on robotics technology to in- 
crease safety. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort, 

19, Equipment Technology for Reduced 
Accidents 

Objective ; To explore the application 
of innovative technology to improve 
health, safety, and productivity in min- 
ing. Areas addressed by the program are 
ground fall protection for operators of 
thin-seam face equipment, braking systems 
on mobile face equipment, worker injury 
related to slipping, and accidents analy- 
sis. The scope of mining areas included 
in the program is intentionally broad. 



covering specific problem areas that lend 
themselves to long-term engineering solu- 
tions. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

20. The Fundamentals of Electromechani- 
cal Technology for Large Mobile Mine 
Equipment Automation 

Objective : To improve safety of the 
mobile mine equipment operator's work 
environment ; delineate the fundamental 
aspects and improve the associated tech- 
nology to make mobile equipment operators 
more aware of their surroundings ; and 
delineate automation priorities on large 
mobile mining equipment. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 

Haulage and Materials Handling 

21. Evaluation of Conveyor Belt Cleaners 

Objective ; To reduce belt cleanup 
requirements, through research to deter- 
mine the parameters to increase the 
effectiveness of conveyor belt cleaners, 
and thus reduce the exposure of mine 
maintenance personnel to the dangerous 
cleanup job. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort. 

22. Hoisting Systems Research 

Objective ; To increase the safety and 
efficiency of hoisting operations by (1) 
quantifying the effects of degradation 
upon the structural integrity of hoist 
rope and (2) studying the relationship 
between material deformation and energy 
dissipation for utilization in hoist 
arrestments. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing effort, 

23. Haulage and Materials Handling 
Accident Reduction 

Objective ; To isolate the causes of 
powered haulage and materials handling 
accidents and to develop concepts and 
guidelines for equipment design that will 
reduce the injuries resulting from these 
operations in underground coal mines. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 



17 



24. Wire Rope Inspection, Retirement , 
Selection, and Use 

Objective ; To investigate present 
methods and, where appropriate, derive 
better methods for inspection, use, and 
selection and for combining underground 
mine hoist-rope and associated equipment, 
and to prepare new hoist-rope retirement 
(replacement) criteria. Existing inade- 
quate retirement criteria will be re- 
placed by Improved criteria that will 
Increase the reliability and safety of 
man and/or material hoisting operations. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 

25. Laboratory Analysis of Wire Rope 

Objective : To define and control the 
microstructure of wrought, pearlltlc 
steel, wire, hoist ropes to extend fa- 
tigue life, and to perform metallurgical 
analyses such as chemical composition and 
microstructure determinations to support 
the needs of the entire Wire Rope Program 
at the Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh, Spo- 
kane, and Albany Research Centers, This 
is a continuation of an ongoing effort, 

Postdisaster 

Program Objectives : To develop the 
technology that will enhance the chances 
of miners to escape, survive, and/or be 
rescued following mine fire, explosion, 
or outbursts of gas. This involves per- 
sonal protection equipment for miners and 
rescue teams, preplanned rescue and sur- 
vival systems, and devices to detect, 
locate, and communicate with trapped 
miners. 

Survival 

1. Life Support for Escape and Rescue 

Objective ; To conduct research to 
investigate the physiology of escape and 
rescue and the use of metabolic breath- 
ing simulators in testing and design 
of breathing apparatus, and to enable 
long-term field evaluations of self- 
contained self -rescuers. This is a 
new project. 



Communications 

2. Evaluation of the Concept of a 
Medium-Frequency Radio System for 
Mine Rescue 

Objective : To evaluate medium- 
frequency radio system for its applica- 
tion to mine rescue operations and com- 
munication with trapped miners. This is 
a new project. 

Rescue and Mine Recovery 

3. Gas Instrumentation for Rescue Teams 

Objective : To quantify the effects of 
selected atmospheric and environmental 
parameters in commercially available 
methane detection instruments. This 
effort is in direct response to an MSHA 
request. This is a new project. 

4. Evaluation of a Deep Mine Rescue 
System 

Objective : To evaluate a deep-mine 
electromagnetic rescue system. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 

Explosives 

Program Objectives : To maintain sur- 
veillance over permissible explosives and 
related items; determine hazard charac- 
teristics of explosive substances, de- 
vices, and systems not classified as per- 
missible; and conduct research to support 
MSHA in establishing and enforcing mean- 
ingful standards and in investigating 
accidents related to explosives. To con- 
duct fundamental studies of explosive 
behavior and apply results to new tech- 
nology. To develop new and improved test 
procedures as new mining methods are 
Introduced and new types of explosives 
are formulated. 

1, Development of Safer Blasting 

Procedures and Improved Explosive 
Hazard Techniques 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort that increases safety in blasting 
techniques and reduces explosive hazards 



18 



in underground coal mines by (1) deter- 
mining how blasting parameters affect the 
probability of ignition in multiple-delay 
blasting, (2) defining and evaluating 
sheathed explosives for specific applica- 
tions and then proposing scheduled tests 
for their approval, and (3) providing 
hazard criteria and test procedures for 
new explosives, blasting agents, initi- 
ating systems, and related devices in- 
volved in accidents. 

2. Effect of Explosive Properties and 
Blasting Procedures on Incendivity 
and Performance 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to evaluate new candidate per- 
missibles and insure that certified per- 
missibles are made to specifications. To 
study conditions that will improve safety 
and performance, including those of the 
relatively new water gel and water emul- 
sion permissibles. To improve blasting 
procedures in gassy noncoal mines by 
identifying hazards of stemming in large 
bias tholes and improving blast area 
security technology. 

3. Basic Understanding of Deflagation 
and Detonation Phenomena 



Systems Analysis 

1. Effectiveness of Mine Systems 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to determine cost effectiveness of 
Bureau safety systems and hardware in 
order to accelerate their adoption by the 
mining industry; and to perform mine haz- 
ard analyses of total mine operations and 
address interactions among health and 
safety problems that occur. To update 
data on mine equipment use for identify- 
ing potential hazards in coal mining 
operations; and to acquire data that in- 
corporate multidisciplined, basic re- 
search on solutions to deal with emergen- 
cies, prevent or mitigate disasters, and 
reduce accidents. 

2. Analysis of Mine Systems 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to provide the mining industry 
with the most modern safety management 
techniques at a minimum cost to the 
mines. 

Test Facilities 

3. Operation of the Lake Lynn Laboratory 



Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to understand conditions that 
cause explosives to malfunction by in- 
vestigating fundamental physical thermo- 
dynamic hydrodynamic parameters. 

Systems Engineering 

Program Objectives ; To develop methods 
for evaluating the impact of specific 
technological improvements or inade- 
quacies on the total mining operations 
and identify problems whose solutions 
would provide the greatest health and 
safety benefit. To operate and maintain 
underground research and test facilities 
for use in testing and demonstrating new 
procedures and equipment before they are 
tested in commercial mines. 



Objective: 



To continue an ongoing 



effort to operate and maintain special- 
ized full-scale underground and surface 
test facilities. Examples of research 
activities to be pursued include (1) re- 
evaluation of passive barrier deployment 
guidelines, (2) test of triggered barrier 
systems mounted on a continuous miner, 
(3) validation of concepts on the igni- 
tion and propagation of coal dust explo- 
sions, (4) evaluation of large-scale burn 
tests involving explosives and blasting 
agents, and (5) acquisition of data for 
approval of sheathed explosive charges in 
novel applications. 



19 



4. Operation of the Safety Research Coal 
Mine and the Experimental Mine 

Objective: To continue an ongoing 
effort to operate and maintain two spe- 
cialized full-scale underground mine 
facilities located at Bruceton, Examples 
of research activities to be pursued in- 
clude (1) identification of explosion 
hazards of float coal dust layers, (2) 
development of practical, economical, and 
reliable triggered and low-coal barriers, 
(3) determination of the effects of large 
fires on mine ventilation systems, (4) 
evaluation of sealed mine fires and their 
extinguishment, and (5) determination of 
the effects of static loading on a bulk- 
head anchorage system. 

5. Operation of the Twilight Mine 
Radiation Facility 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to operate and maintain a 



specialized full-scale underground ura- 
nium mine for tests to be conducted by 
the Bureau's Spokane Research Center, 

Assistance With Program Management 

6. Health and Safety Analysis Center 
(HSAC) Support 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to provide the Bureau with easy 
access to statistical facts relating to 
employment and accident information col- 
lected and compiled by HSAC. 

7. Research Management and Planning 
System (RMAPS) Support 

Objective ; To continue an ongoing 
effort to provide a dynamic information 
system that is capable of handling simple 
or complex real-time inquiries for use as 
a management tool or for decisionmaking. 



PART II. —CONTRACT RESEARCH 



HEALTH 

Respirable Dust 

Program Objectives ; To investigate 
basic dust control techniques and con- 
cepts aimed at preventing the generation 
and entrainment of respirable dust during 
the mining cycle. To provide new and im- 
proved technology for measuring and con- 
trolling airborne respirable dust at lev- 
els that meet or are below standards set 
by the Federal law for all mining and 
mineral processing operations. 

Control of Generated Dust 



2. Evaluate Fundamental Approaches 
to Longwall Dust Control 

Objective ; To evaluate the effective- 
ness of available dust control technology 
for double-drum shearer longwall sec- 
tions, with special emphasis on support- 
generated dust and mining practices, in a 
coordinated, systematic program at sev- 
eral longwall test sections, and to make 
the results available to the coal mining 
industry. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 

Industrial Hygiene 
(Toxic Substances) 



1. Control of Respirable Quartz 
on Continous Mining Sections 

Objective ; To evaluate sources of air- 
borne quartz dust and research control 
technologies that will assist mine oper- 
ators in complying with respirable dust 
standards that are more stringent because 
of quartz in the dust exceeding 5 per- 
cent. This is a continuation of an on- 
going effort. 



Program Objectives; To identify and 
control health hazards to surface and 
underground mines and mineral processing 
plants caused by toxic gases and fumes, 
and certain particulates produced by 
explosives, combustible materials, and 
diesel engines. To develop and evaluate 
new instrumentation for monitoring these 
substances. To develop and/or refine 
analytical techniques for measuring and 



20 



characterizing toxic substances, and 
investigate methods for controlling the 
formation and accumulation of toxic prod- 
ucts. To analyze alternative power 
sources that may have health advantages 
over existing mine diesels. 

Diesel Engine and Alternative 
Power Sources 

1, A Clean Internal Combustion Engine 
for Underground Mining Machinery 

Objective; To determine the adequacy 
of the safety devices and systems of the 
prototype hydride-fueled mining vehicle 
currently being fabricated. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 

Ventilation 

Program Objectives: To develop venti- 
lation systems required to maintain a 
safe and healthful atmosphere conducive 
to efficient work output in noncoal 
mines. 

1. Effective Face Ventilation Systems 
for Oil Shale Mines 

Objective; To develop and evalu- 
ate conceptual designs for large-opening 
face ventilation systems and to 
in-mine-evaluate two of these designs. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 



SAFETY 

Postdisaster 

Program Objective ; To develop the 
technology that will enhance the chances 
of miners to escape, survive, and/or be 
rescued following mine fire, explosion, 
or outbursts of gas. This involves per- 
sonal protection equipment for miners and 
rescue teams, preplanned rescue and sur- 
vival systems, and devices to detect, 
locate, and communicate with trapped 
miners. 



1. 



Rescue and Mine Recovery 

Low-Profile, Lightweight Rescue 
Breathing Apparatus 



Objective : To develop a 2-hour, 
low-profile, compressed-oxygen rescue 
breathing apparatus suitable for use in 
low coal at longwall faces. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing effort. 

2. Rescue Team Helmet 

Objective ; To develop a rescue team 
helmet that provides full head protec- 
tion, an integral facepiece, communi- 
cations, and a miner's lamp and is com- 
patible with the new low-profile, 
lightweight rescue breathing apparatus. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
effort. 



INT.-BU.OF MINES, PGH., PA. 27201 

















"-..^^^ 




/ ,^v -^, 




■*..*- :mM. \/ :g^\ %,<^ /'"^^■■- *- 








^^ 



-v*^^*/ v'^v V'^'/ \-^-v v*"^v \ ■••.-.-. 














." ^^''%, =: 



• • • \ > 




■^^ 






V*^' 











< o 













A. A, ♦ 




















.^"^*>^'\ <^°.'^i>- ^^"^>^%\ .^°^•^i•°- / 



.V 



^"•^^, 




' ^^-^^^ V 





^°-^.^. 

















< o 





f ^^# 



I* 



